bioinnovel Chapter 301: Surprise, Not Joy
Chapter 301: Surprise, Not Joy
Chapter 301: Surprise, Not Joy
Overnight, the truth, shrouded in mystery, gradually became clear because of a dream.
However, along with the truth comes an even greater crisis: what exactly are Voldemort and Barty Jr. plotting?
Belvina had a vague idea that Voldemort simply wanted to make a comeback, but she couldn't guess how he would do so.
Since we can't guess, we might as well not guess. As long as we keep a close eye on Little Barty's every move, we'll figure out what tricks they're up to sooner or later.
Over the next few days, Belvina would go to the competition venue whenever she had free time, focusing most of her energy on the first event of the Triwizard Tournament.
During this time, Professor Sprout also made a special trip to see Belvina, the meaning of which was self-evident.
The Hogwarts Herbology Professor was a typical Hufflepuff, possessing all the fine qualities of the house; she always wore a patched hat and worked diligently in the greenhouse.
That afternoon, as usual, Belvina appeared around the competition venue to prepare for the approaching fire dragon.
Professor Sprout, wearing a patched hat, suddenly appeared, accompanied by Bassheda, also a Hufflepuff.
Faced with Belvina's warm hospitality, the usually optimistic and friendly professor of herbalism seemed somewhat reserved, quite unlike the usual Dean Hufflepuff.
"Belvina," said Bassheda, "Cedric is also a champion of Hogwarts, and you should treat him the same way."
Upon hearing this, Belvina glanced at Bassheda with a puzzled expression, only to see that Ancient Rune Sweetheart was constantly winking at her.
Belvina suddenly realized that Professor Sprout had come for Cedric, but she was too embarrassed to speak up.
That's when he pulled Bassheda along.
"Of course, Cedric is undoubtedly a champion of Hogwarts," Belvina said. "As a member of the judging panel, I will not favor any of the contestants."
She won't favor any particular player, meaning she won't show favoritism towards Harry due to personal relationships. In other words, the same care Harry receives will also be given to Cedric.
With those words, Professor Sprout finally felt relieved, and her initial awkwardness disappeared.
Professor Sprout, who is usually low-key and doesn't fight for anything, felt embarrassed but still approached Belvina to fight for fair treatment for her warrior.
Looking at Professor Sprout's behavior and then thinking about Snape's character, Belvina felt a wave of sorrow.
They are both professors with the surname "Si" and both heads of the same college. How can there be such a big difference between people!
Time flew by and it was Wednesday night. Harry, who had gone to bed early, put on his Invisibility Cloak and quietly left the dormitory for the common room.
With Ron and Hermione's cover, Harry successfully slipped out of the Gryffindor tower and arrived at the pre-arranged meeting place—an empty foyer.
Harry, shrouded in an invisibility cloak, hid in a corner of the hallway, looking around in the dim light, but saw no one.
Belvina didn't come, nor did Cedric, so Harry could only huddle in a corner and continue waiting.
As the clock struck eleven, a series of footsteps clearly entered the foyer. Harry held his breath and looked up at the platform at the top of the marble staircase.
As the footsteps grew closer, Belvina and Bassheda appeared, walking up the stairs to the foyer.
Harry, hiding in the corner, lifted the Invisibility Cloak.
Meanwhile, Cedric, who was hiding beneath the marble staircase, broke free of the illusion spell.
Belvina's lips twitched as she tried to suppress a laugh; Bassheda turned her back, hiding her head behind Belvina, her shoulders shaking.
One person was hiding in the corner of the hallway wearing an invisibility cloak, while the other used an illusion spell to hide under the stairs. They had both arrived long ago, but neither of them could spot the other.
"Professor Black, Professor Bablin," Cedric greeted, slightly embarrassed. He had no idea Harry had an invisibility cloak!
"Professor, Professor Bablin." Harry came over too. "Um—I—"
The two Hogwarts warriors exchanged an awkward glance, then silently shut their mouths.
"You really didn't notice each other at all?" Bassheda asked. "Not even a little bit?"
Harry shook his head. Cedric said, "I heard footsteps, but I didn't see anyone."
"Alright, let's go," Belvina said. "Cedric, you and Harry use the Invisibility Cloak together. Don't let anyone see you."
"Professor Black, please give me a minute," Cedric pleaded. "I have a few words to say to Harry."
Seeing Belvina nod, Cedric immediately said to Harry, "Harry, I'm so sorry—those hooligans ruined your badge—"
I tried to stop them, but I couldn't.
"This isn't your problem, Cedric," Harry said. "You don't need to apologize for it."
Although Harry hasn't dreamt of Voldemort again in the last few days, he's been having a terrible time.
His Gryffindor classmates regarded him as a hero, while students from other houses saw him as an enemy, believing that he had stolen the glory of the warriors.
Especially the Hufflepuff classmates, who used to be close to Gryffindor, suddenly seemed to have become different people, and all of them became cold towards Harry.
Even the usually kind and loving Professor Sprout became cold towards Harry.
In addition to using passive-aggressive tactics against Harry for stealing the glory of the champions, verbal abuse was also essential, with the badge mentioned by Cedric being the most representative example.
For days, wherever Harry went, he could hear the sarcastic remarks of other students. Resentment and dissatisfaction came from all directions, almost overwhelming him.
"Cedric, let's do it together!" Harry said, handing Cedric a corner of the Invisibility Cloak.
Cedric, a Hufflepuff, didn't say anything more. He nodded vigorously and took the Invisibility Cloak from Harry.
"Although you two are competitors, healthy competition is what we hope to see," Bassheda said cheerfully. "You're doing well, keep it up."
"Alright, it's getting late, let's hurry back," Belvina said. "Harry, Cedric, you two keep your distance from us and don't let anyone see you."
After saying that, Belvina and Bassheda walked out of the castle, as if the little tail following them didn't exist at all.
The area outside the castle was pitch black, and the night wind was slightly chilly. Belvina and Bassheda walked along the gentle lawn toward the Forbidden Forest.
In the distance, Hagrid's cabin was still lit, and the nearby Beauxbatons carriage was also brightly lit. Hagrid and Mrs. Maxim's tall figures stood beside the carriage.
"Look!" Bassheda nudged Belvina. "Hagrid's launching his love offensive again!"
Hagrid was dressed to the nines as usual tonight, with a flower tucked into his buttonhole. Mrs. Maxim followed beside him with a beaming smile.
She looked like a big bird nestled against a woman.
"It seems they're heading to the same destination as us," Belvina said. "I just wonder how much of Mrs. Maxim's smile is genuine and how much is fake."
"Can you not be so pessimistic? What if they're truly in love?" Bassheda said discontentedly. "Don't always think the worst of people."
Belvina neither agreed nor disagreed, just chuckled.
She said, "Whether it's true love or not, we'll know by Mrs. Maxim's attitude tomorrow."
At this moment, Hagrid, the most affectionate man at Hogwarts, still has a great use: he can take Madam Maxim to see the dragon and learn about the content of the first competition in advance.
If Mrs. Maxim can still be a docile and dependent woman by tomorrow, and doesn't discard her after she's served her purpose, then Belvina will believe they are truly in love.
At the edge of the dark Forbidden Forest, Belvina and Bassheda walked slowly, deliberately keeping their distance from the two half-giants.
Firstly, I didn't want to be a third wheel, and secondly, I didn't want to hear them flirting.
We walked along the edge of the forbidden forest for a long time until the castle and lake behind us disappeared, and the competition venue for the first event gradually revealed itself.
After rounding another grove of trees, a series of deafening roars suddenly erupted, interspersed with shouts from several men.
Belvina finally stopped, pointed to the enormous creature in the enclosure ahead, and said with satisfaction, "Look! This is the surprise I prepared for the brave warriors—a fire dragon!"
"Did you consider the warriors' feelings when you said that?" Bassheda asked. "Are you sure this thing is a surprise?"
Inside the enclosure made of fireproof wooden planks, four enormous adult fire dragons roared to the sky, spewing out bursts of flame that illuminated the dark night.
At least seven or eight wizards stood around each of the roaring, angry dragons, some of them pulling on the chains wrapped around the dragons.
Some were casting spells on the fire dragon; more than thirty wizards worked together, desperately trying to subdue the raging dragon.
"It's not like we're asking the brave warrior to slay a dragon; it's just taking an egg from the fire dragon," Belvina said casually.
"A dragon egg?" Bassheda asked, slightly puzzled. "A female fire dragon!"
"Yes, didn't I tell you?" Belvina said. "That shouldn't be the case."
Bassheda's expression changed, and she said seriously, "Miss Black, if you ever get beaten up by a group of people, don't ever say you know me."
Generally speaking, female Rathalos are larger and more aggressive than males, especially females during the egg-laying period.
Its attack power is off the charts.
Behind the two elective course professors, Harry and Cedric carefully hid behind a large tree.
The two warriors hiding under the invisibility cloak not only heard the roar of the fire dragon and saw its breath, but also heard Belvina's inhuman remarks.
No wonder the death rate in the Triwizard Tournament is so high. The first challenge is against female fire dragons in their egg-laying period. It would be strange if the death rate could be reduced!
Harry and Cedric exchanged a glance, both understanding each other's meaning: Brother, you have to survive the first mission!
"This isn't entirely my fault," Belvina's voice rang out again. "The main responsibility lies with Barty Crouch."
"Give me your excuse," Bassheda said calmly. "Go ahead."
"The fiercest fire dragon was brought in by Barty Crouch," Belvina said. "That Hungarian Hornet Dragon was Crouch's doing." Bassheda gritted her teeth and slowly said, "Okay, even if the fire dragon was Crouch's doing, what's with this arena? Why does it look so familiar?"
"It looks familiar, that's why—it's a replica of the ancient Roman Colosseum!"